Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Commercial and Industrial Designers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$80,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $83,910
State Rank
#20 of 41
1,000 employed here

How much do Commercial and Industrial Designers make in North Carolina?

Commercial and Industrial Designers in North Carolina take home a median of $80,620 annually — roughly $38.76 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $83,910.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $48,830 while the top 10% make $134,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,750 and $102,000 a year.

Commercial and Industrial Designers salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,830$23.48
25th percentile (early career)$61,750$29.69
50th percentile (median)$80,620$38.76
75th percentile (experienced)$102,000$49.04
90th percentile (top earners)$134,040$64.44

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 20th out of 41 states and territories for Commercial and Industrial Designers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Kansas$104,870
2Michigan$102,160
3Massachusetts$101,720
4Rhode Island$101,140
5California$100,770

Working as Commercial and Industrial Designers in North Carolina

Nationally, about 33,000 people work as Commercial and Industrial Designers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Carolina pay ($80,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Commercial and Industrial Designers make in North Carolina?
The median Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in North Carolina is $80,620 per year, or about $38.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,830 at the entry level to $134,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Commercial and Industrial Designers about 4% less than the national median of $83,910. North Carolina ranks 20th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Commercial and Industrial Designers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,620 a year. About 1,000 Commercial and Industrial Designers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Commercial and Industrial Designers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.